Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 24.3 km² (9.4 mi²). 24.3 km² (9.4 mi²) of it is land and none of the area is covered with water.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there are 8,978 people, 3,611 households, and 2,480 families residing in the town. The population density is 369.2/km² (955.8/mi²). There are 3,879 housing units at an average density of 159.5/km² (412.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the town is 92.99% White, 3.02% African American, 1.47% Native American, 0.56% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.22% from other races, and 1.72% from two or more races. 1.17% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 3,611 households out of which 29.6% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.1% are married couples living together, 13.0% have a female householder with no husband present, and 31.3% are non-families. 26.1% of all households are made up of individuals and 9.9% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.49 and the average family size is 2.99.
In the town the population is spread out with 23.4% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 28.0% from 25 to 44, 25.1% from 45 to 64, and 14.6% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 39 years. For every 100 females there are 95.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 92.3 males.
The median income for a household in the town is $37,327, and the median income for a family is $43,689. Males have a median income of $35,657 versus $25,358 for females. The per capita income for the town is $17,500. 9.3% of the population and 7.1% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 14.6% are under the age of 18 and 3.9% are 65 or older.